Blinken to Visit Middle East US Secretary of State Antony Blinken
Agencies – Sudan Events
will visit the Middle East from Sunday through Thursday.
A press statement on Friday says he will travel to Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, Israel and the West Bank.
US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in the statement that Blinken will continue diplomatic efforts to reach an agreement that secures the release of all remaining hostages and includes a humanitarian pause to deliver assistance to civilians in Gaza.
Throughout his trip, the Secretary will underscore the importance of protecting civilian lives in Israel and the West Bank and Gaza; securing the release of all remaining hostages; he said: “our shared commitment to facilitating the increased, sustained delivery of life-saving humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza and the resumption of essential services; and ensuring that Palestinians are not forcibly displaced from Gaza”.
He will also discuss urgent mechanisms to stem violence, calm rhetoric, and reduce regional tensions, including deterring Houthi attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea and avoiding escalation in Lebanon.
The Secretary will reaffirm the U.S. commitment to working with partners to set the conditions necessary for peace in the Middle East, which includes comprehensive, tangible steps toward the realization of a future Palestinian state alongside the State of Israel, with both living in peace and security.
